Yankees Continue to Ignore Their Brutally Obvious Weak Link

Back at the MLB trade deadline, many were convinced that the New York Yankees would make a move for a catcher, but they decided to hold on to Austin Wells.

Given the challenges of swapping starting catchers midseason, the Yankees' decision to stick with Wells was somewhat understandable.

But what wasn't understandable was the reasoning.

Had New York moved forward with Wells because of the pitching staff and how having to learn a new backstop in August would have been difficult, that would have been fine.

But the general belief is that the Yankees stuck with Wells because they actually believed in him for the future, which is malpractice.

Wells is slashing .179/.280/.299 with 10 home runs and 28 RBI over 355 plate appearances this season. And remember recently when he appeared to be "breaking out of it?" Well, the 26-year-old is now 0 for his last 20. He hasn't had a hit since Sept. 2.

Did Wells have a decent little stretch at the end of last month, which included him hitting a home run off a position player? Sure. But the overall numbers speak for themselves.

There is no problem with keeping Wells as a backup. The pitching staff really seems to like him, and he is great in the clubhouse. But the insistence on maintaining that Wells is the catcher of the future comes across as tone deaf.

Spare me the "he's great defensively" bologna. He isn't Pudge Rodriguez, and generally, backup catchers are known for being really good behind the plate, anyway. That is the role in which Wells belongs.

Because keeping the lefty in the lineup long term is absolutely going to hurt the Yankees' offense ... as it has been for years now.

Wells is a lifetime .212/.280/.389 hitter. Has he flashed some pop? Sure, but he is a liability more often than not. Like in the playoffs, where he owns a .468 OPS.

New York will have the opportunity to sign Ryan Jeffers this winter, and it may have the chance to make a trade for Hunter Goodman. The latter is far less likely, but Jeffers will be there for the taking.

If the Yankees refuse to upgrade at catcher because they genuinely believe Wells should be the guy moving forward, then I don't see any reason why anyone should have any faith in New York's talent evaluation in 2027 and beyond. At least not behind the dish.